University Times

As Pitt recruits more undergraduates with sky-high SAT scores and hypertrophic high school QPA's, some professors have noticed increasing shock, disbelief and anger among students who earn lower-than-A grades in their courses. Indirectly, the profs say, students' indignation can translate into grade inflation, as faculty face the choice: Appease students by awarding high grades, or […]

In an interview this week, Provost James Maher talked about Pitt grading policies and practices. "I don't think there would be anything to be gained from my office accusing certain professors or academic units of inflating grades," Pitt's chief academic officer said. "My approach is to press faculty, generally, to keep looking at their grading, […]

Two state legislators plan to press Pitt's administration for more details on financing of the Petersen Events Center, following reports that the University is seeking an additional $10 million on top of the $53 million that the state already has committed to the project. Pitt had hoped to inaugurate "The Pete" by holding April 28's […]

What is the litmus test to determine if an action is unethical? “Ethically, I can’t kill you, but I can take your job,” Pitt professor Steve Farber pointed out at last month’s conference on ethics sponsored by Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA). “Taking your job certainly has an adverse effect on […]

Panelists at a recent conferences on ethics agreed that in theory professionals from the working world can add significantly to the in-class experience of students by discussing real-life events and ethical dilemmas. In practice however, the panel agreed, the system of employing adjuncts was rife with pitfalls. "Ideally, every course that touches on professional ethics […]